Saturday, April 10, 1999Levett will show stuff vs. 'Trotters
Will lead stars in May Mat 2 game
BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati EnquirerIt is not so great a leap to picture Melvin Levett in a Harlem Globetrotters uniform.
“It wouldn't be bad for a guy like me,” said Levett, who completed his career as the most popular Cincinnati Bearcat last month. “When I first got here to Cincinnati, everybody wanted to see me dunk, see the air show. I'd be willing, to say the least.”
Before Levett would consider playing for the Globetrotters, though, he first must take his best shot at a career in the NBA. And part of that effort will be to take his best shot at beating the Globetrotters as captain of the College All-Stars in a May 2 game at the Firstar Center.
Scheduled for 2 p.m., the game will be the final of a three-game series the 'Trotters are calling the World Series of Basketball, with games also planned for Oakland (April 25) and Auburn Hills, Mich. (May 1). The roster for the college team includes Xavier's James Posey, Lenny Brown and Gary Lumpkin and Dayton forward Coby Turner. The game will be televised by ESPN2 on a delayed basis, with Dick Vitale working the game.
The 'Trotters are reviving an event that first was played in 1950 but died out in the 1960s. They will play the game without the comedy routines that are the trademark of their regular tour games.
“I don't believe there'll be room for any Globetrotter shenanigans at this event,” said team owner Mannie Jackson. “But if we get far enough ahead ... ”
Levett immediately declared that would not be a problem. He declared a lot of things during the course of a press conference Friday, demonstrating the personality that Jackson finds appealing.
When Jackson mentioned the UC-Xavier rivalry would need to be buried for the college stars to have a chance, Levett said there was a Bearcats-Muskies mix on the team that won the Portsmouth Invitational last week.
NBA types are saying Levett has a chance to make the league based on his ability to defend. “When he wants to,” said one scout.
Levett attended the Portsmouth tryout camp last weekend even though he wasn't required to go. He'd already been invited to the Desert Classic in Phoenix, which is considered a higher-quality event for NBA prospects. He will play in all three games against the Globetrotters.
He had much more to lose in Portsmouth than to gain, but Levett helped his team to the championship. He shot the NBA-length three effectively enough that scouts started calling to him to put the ball on the floor and show he could penetrate.
“I'm just trying to go out and play,” Levett said. “I'm playing in as many games as I can to get as much exposure as I can. I'm trying to play right now as if they don't know who Melvin Levett is.”
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